For only the second time in school history, the Midland Trail football team made the playoffs for three straight seasons. With the 2018 season being the most successful year in Midland Trail’s history, Coach Frankie Isaacs is optimistic to make playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. This will be no easy task with the new challenges he and the team face this year.
Midland Trail started off the season Friday, October 2nd with a big win at Meadow Bridge. Having finally been able to play their first game after four weeks of let-downs and cancellations, the Patriots were feeling good about how the rest of the season would go.
2020 has been quite a different year. Many people had elevated expectations for the new decade. It is comfortable to say at this point- it has been challenging. Covid-19 has changed the way school and athletics function. This might not affect any grade more than high school seniors.
Midland Trail Senior Aaron Sisler knew football would be different this year.
“We haven’t been able to play every week,” said Sisler. “There wasn’t much excitement early on, but it’s been rising with us now getting to play.”
Sisler is optimistic on the season and believes if he gets the chance to show it, he can prove that he is one of the most versatile players in the state.
Senior Christopher Vines has been trying his best to stay positive during these times. He is hopeful the team will have a deep playoff run.
“I am a bit worried that we won’t get to have a full season, but I am trying to stay hopeful,” said Vines.
Vines, who was an All-Coalfield Conference quarterback last year, is hoping to improve from his 2019 campaign with Midland Trail’s revamped offense.
Cy Persinger was a First Team All-State tackle a season ago.
‘’One of the biggest new challenges I’ve faced this year is trying to stay positive and continuing to work, even though I’m not sure that I’ll ever be able to play football again.” said Persinger. “It’s hard to work for something when you don’t know if you’ll get to play. I have been doing everything I can to stay ready in case I do get to play the rest of the season.’’
‘’The 2020 Trail team could be the best the school has ever seen,’’ said Coach Frankie Isaacs.
Coach Isaacs has not shied away from saying this multiple times to the media. That surprised some people, as the team had not even played one game when he first said it.
With new protocols and guidelines in place to help ensure the safety of players and coaches, football has had new challenges that have had nothing to do with the game itself.
“We, as Midland Trail High School, have done everything that we could possibly do that was in our power to give us the best chance to play, but the whole situation is out of our control.”
Coach Isaacs continued, ‘’I must worry about guidelines and protocols such as facemasks, sanitation of anything and everything we touch…safety guidelines for travel, safety guidelines for on and off the field, worrying about contact tracing, worrying about how my kids are going to make it to practice…Do they have enough water? How can I provide them with water without breaking protocols? Are they in good enough shape because guidelines have limited our contact and practice time? Are they mentally and emotionally healthy enough to participate in football when things that are so much bigger have affected them? “
After weeks of following guidelines, Midland Trail was finally able to start playing games consistently. They have played well enough to earn the #1 ranking in Single A before slipping down to #6 this week.
On Friday, October 9th Midland Trail went to Wayne County to play the Pioneers. A 31-20 win over Wayne put Midland Trail at #2 in the state in the WVSSAC’s rankings. This game replaced Midland Trail’s originally scheduled matchup against Independence, which was cancelled due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at Independence. The sudden schedule change had the team more nervous than usual. All week they were expecting to play Independence. With such a quick turnaround from one team to another, it was worrisome, but the Patriots were still excited for the opportunity to play.
With yet another win on Friday October 16th at Shady Springs, Midland Trail was looking set for a deep playoff run.
On Saturday, October 24th Midland Trail suffered their first loss to #7 Buffalo. It was a very tight game with the first and only score of the game coming in the second overtime period. This loss pushed Midland Trail down to #6 in the state rankings.
Even with the loss, Midland Trail’s goal of making playoffs is unwavering.
Friday, October 30th the 2nd ranked Greenbrier West team will travel to Hico to face the Patriots. This game is one of the biggest of the whole season in Single A. If Midland Trail wins, it could be a statement game on a potential state championship run.
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